Part of why it's hard to start a new series is because I'm running out of room for more paintings!
Recently I re-organized my painting rack to see if I could free up more space. Even after I cut many pieces off the frames and rolled up the canvases for long term storage, the shelves are still full.
Which is why I decided it's time to finally let go of some things I've been holding onto for too long.
Like memories of Disney. I enjoyed painting characters and park scenes for the Disney Galleries in California and Florida, and meeting all the fans at signing events--but I'm ready to let go of my giclée prints. I had a thing with the number 7. I snagged the 7th of every edition (except for one), so I've built a unique collection. If any of you like Disney and want to buy one, check them out.
"Heading West" by Maggie Parr
But it's not just Disney. I made a few giclée editions of some favorite paintings, I even went to the trouble of designing a special Certificate of Authenticity for my Beyond the Skin edition of 50. I never put much effort into selling, though, so I didn't become the next Shepherd Farey or Thomas Kincaid. So I only have a small handful. If you're interested in one of these, click here.
"Beyond the Skin" by Maggie Parr
Aside from freeing up space and letting go of art I don't need anymore, the purging experience brought up feelings of loss. Loss of times past, loss of old dreams. It was weird to cut up old stretcher bars and put them in the kindling bucket for campfires (we build a lot of fires when we take the Airstream out). When I was young, it never occurred to me that painting for 35 years would leave me with a huge pile of paintings! Yet that's what happens for all of us. Unless we plug into some machinery (like a gallery or agent) that sucks the art out of our studios and into the world, we'll end up with a ton of artwork clogging the shelves.
I need to learn to let it go.
And so I'm sharing a few pieces with you. I'm sick of Black Friday and the rush to grab dollars from pockets. All I want is for these pieces to find the right home so they can get some love and light.
